Discovery Education and DIRECTV Celebrate National ENERGY STAR Day with Live Virtual Event Educating Students Nationwide About Energy Efficiency

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to Speak with Students about Energy Efficiency and its Impact on Climate Change during Live Virtual Event in Conjunction with National Energy Awareness Month on October 27

Silver Spring, Md. (October 19, 2015) – Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, and DIRECTV, now part of the AT&T family, will host a live virtual event for classrooms nationwide on October 27 at 1 P.M. EST. Available at no cost to classrooms nationwide, this virtual experience will celebrate National Energy Awareness Month and ENERGY STAR® Day, a day devoted to encouraging individuals to make a commitment to an energy-saving action, by taking the ENERGY STAR Pledge. Classrooms will have the unique opportunity to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, be transported to EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., and engage in a virtual discussion on how our energy use affects our planet’s climate and energy efficiency is a tool for climate action.

Hosted by Discovery Education’s Director of Education Outreach and Curriculum Integration Kyle Schutt, students will learn about specific actions they can take to be more energy efficient in their own homes, schools and communities. Five students from Charles County Public Schools’ Charles County Middle School will join Administrator McCarthy at EPA headquarters for an in-person discussion. To register to attend the event, or to submit questions to be answered live by Administrator McCarthy during the broadcast, visit www.discoveryeducation.com/energystar. This virtual field trip is appropriate for upper elementary, middle and high school students.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators, decision-makers, and problem-solvers,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “I’m thrilled to participate in an ENERGY STAR Day event aimed at educating young people about the tools we have to act on climate change, and inspiring them to design the solutions of the future.”

“Technology is fundamentally altering education and unlocking new possibilities. This collaboration is a wonderful example of that,” commented Charlene Lake, Senior Vice President – Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer, AT&T Services, Inc. “It is important that we not only prepare students academically, but also empower them to be good stewards of our planet. As a company, we are committed to being a good corporate citizen and finding innovative new ways to utilize technology to reduce our own environmental impact as well.”

To further support participating educators, Discovery Education is also offering classroom activities related to energy efficiency, including comprehensive pre-and post-event lessons, which educators can utilize to enhance the learning experience and prepare students for the virtual event. Students, families and teachers are also encouraged to visit the Discovery Education website and pledge to commit to energy savings actions around their home that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help protect the climate for years to come.

“This virtual event is an exciting way to engage my students in the science of energy efficiency and the critical issue of climate change,” said Dacia Jones, District Science Director and STEM Educator, Durham Public Schools, NC. “I look forward to utilizing this one-of-a-kind learning opportunity to help my students gain a deeper understanding of how they can preserve a healthy planet for future generations and help protect the climate by saving energy.”

For more information on this virtual event and other services and initiatives from Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.

About The U.S. EPA & Administrator Gina McCarthy

Since 1970, the U.S. EPA has protected public health and the environment by implementing the nation’s landmark environmental statutes that safeguard clean air, clean water, and healthy land. Administrator Gina McCarthy was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009 first as Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and then in 2013 as Administrator.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR® is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, ENERGY STAR is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $360 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, over 40 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

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